Microsoft Laments PC Maker Add-Ons

Microsoft is worried that PC makers are besmirching the good name of its operating system.

An unnamed Microsoft executive, perhaps having had one too many drinks at CES, said PC makers are loading way too much third-party software on PCs before the ship, compromising the user experience and creating possible conflicts with Vista. Most of them are demo version of programs the PC buyer doesn’t need or links to equally unwanted online services, earning them them the "craplets" moniker.

"They could work fine, or they could cause huge problems," the Microsoftie said. "The problem is that we just don’t know. And if someone buys a Vista PC and has a problem, they’re going to blame Windows."